Middle-earth Journeys

Thanks Philipa. Live and learn if they let you live. The one thing I have learned is that with art, it can't all just be in your imagination. Technique has to be studied. You learn something from every other piece of someone else's art that you view.

One of the pieces that surprised me the most when re-worked was this one. I thought it would feel more like a carbon copy of the original, but I was amazed at the effect of re-doing the trees in this one. The sectional stained glass approach added SO much depth that the original piece seems VERY flat by comparison.

Riv, it is great to see these re-worked pieces alongside the originals, it demonstrates the improvements you have made so clearly. In every example the changes have enabled the composition to sing out loud.

Thanks CJ and everyone.

I have been trying something very new and ambitious for me. I have NEVER either drawn or painted animals and/or people, but this vison just haunts my LOTR dreams. This is a VERY PRELIMINARY sketch...


Aragorn's Farewll to the Fellowship

That seriously has potential.

Work it up! Let's see more!!

Cool! I can't wait to see that green light!

I'm really pleased you're tackling this, Riv, I know it's one of the images from LotR that you wanted to see Ted Nasmith paint.

It's the start of a good painting, Riv, a really strong preliminary drawing. People and animals are a real challenge but practice makes perfect . Watch out for the leg and where the thigh is going when you work it up. Because of the angle if you don't fudge it a bit it the thigh will be lost in the perpective and it will make him look like a Hobbit .

I can't wait to see how this develops !

Iolanthe wrote: Watch out for the leg and where the thigh is going when you work it up. Because of the angle if you don't fudge it a bit it the thigh will be lost in the perpective and it will make him look like a Hobbit .

I see the same challenge Iolanthe. I am not quite sure how I will solve it...drawing...or use of color/value...or both. Suspect the latter.

Riv Res wrote:I have NEVER either drawn or painted animals and/or people...

That's amazing! The sketch is beautiful! I can't wait to see the final result.

Aragorn's Farewell to the Fellowship

© Rabbit Ridge Art

OH! This has so much life! I love it! I love the relationship between the reflected light of the stone and the setting sun. I like the composition of the thing and I like his face, hair, armor, and cape a lot. I think the horse is good and the stained glass effect is great here, too.

The only thing I'm not so sure about is the grass. I'm not sure why.

But I'm loving this big time! Congratulations.

Merry wrote:The only thing I'm not so sure about is the grass. I'm not sure why.

I think it may have to do with shape. The rest of the piece is dominated by straight lines and angles. The hillsides are all about curves.

Well done, Riv - for someone who's never painted people or animals before that's pretty darned good ! I also love the way you've done the light from the stone and the sun.

The one thing you need to check is the back leg of the horse - the bottom of the leg seems to come straight out of his haunch and it's because of the angle. All you need to do is a bit of shading at the back below his haunch (inside the tail) creating an in-out angle to give shape to the back of the top of the leg and it will put it right. Gosh - I can't describe it! Can you see where I mean? It's where the pale bit of the horse's lower-rear blends into the tail in a light coloured wedge. Darken that bit and it will bring the leg out.

But, honestly, you've done a great job there and I've always wanted to see someone tackle this moment .

Riv, I think this is the best thing you've done so far, it's such a dramatic picture - you've really captured the moment. I particularly like the horse!!

I love it!!

Riv, this is just wonderful! I agree with all of the preceding comments, and would like to add that I LOVE the grass for the following reason -- it seems like both grass AND water, and as such it heightens the symbolism of Aragorn being a return of "the Sea-Kings of old." Here HE is -- arising out of the water like a true son of Numenor, and also arising as if by magc out of the tall grass of Rohan, a symbol of Hope and Renewal.

Bravo! This is just splendid!